The writing is on the wall.
He doesn’t want to talk about it – at least not publicly but Sourav Ganguly knows the end is in sight. After an outstanding career, spanning more than two decades, his playing days are all but over.
If the current Indian Premier League season is to be his last, Dada, as he is affectionately known, will not finish on a high. The Pune Warriors franchise, which he captains, will not make the playoffs and his own form with the bat has been patchy at best.
Ganguly has yet to score a half century in 13 attempts this year. He is barely averaging 20 at a strike rate of only a run a ball. In Twenty20 cricket that’s simply too slow for an experienced, senior batsman who has the comparative luxury of motoring through the field-restricted Powerplay.
It is not, I suspect, what Ganguly would expect of himself.
We’re talking about one of the best one-day batters of all time. In his prime he was an undisputed master of limited-overs cricket and is widely recognized as India’s finest Test captain.
In other words he knows what to do with a bat and how to lead a team.
His credentials are impeccable and his reputation is probably second only to Sachin Tendulkar himself. So why has IPL5, a high profile tournament seen live by millions around the world, been such a letdown for The Prince of Calcutta?
Maybe his heart isn’t truly in it.
Ganguly isn’t getting any younger – he’ll turn 40 in July and he’s a long way from home. The emotional attachment for his native Kolkata is missing in Pune – nearly 2000 kilometres to the west. The Bengal tiger suddenly doesn’t appear so fearsome when removed from his natural habitat.
The Warriors want him to mentor younger players. Steve Smith, who led the team in his absence against the Royal Challengers Bangalore, should listen closely. The 22-year-old Australian all-rounder, with boyish looks and boundless energy, could do nothing to prevent a heavy loss which officially eliminated Pune from the post season.
On the flip side, RCB are now powering towards the playoffs.
Three straight wins has put them solidly back in the semi final picture with Chris Gayle in sublime form. The big Jamaican has hammered 50 or more in four of his last five innings and fittingly smashed the 500th six of the current IPL campaign.
Monday’s tilt against the Mumbai Indians could be a classic. Both teams have batting depth but it could all hinge on a pair of rival Sri Lankans. RCB have Muttiah Muralitharan to tease and tempt batsmen into costly mistakes while the Indians will rely on the speed and accuracy of Lasith Malinga to keep Gayle and company in check.
The battle for playoff spots will only intensify over the weekend. The Knight Riders, who have had five days rest following their top of the table victory over Delhi will be in confident mood at home to Mumbai, while defending champions Chennai know a win over the Daredevils is essential to bolster their chances.